// Asos hires execs from Google and Bimba y Lola to join its board
// Asos said senior independent director Patrick Kennedy has stepped down from the board to focus on other business activities
Asos has further strengthened its board with the appointments of Google and Bimba y Lola executives.
The fashion retailer has hired Google’s senior finance director for EMEA, Natasja Laheij, and CEO and executive director of Bimba y Lola, Jose Manuel Martinéz Gutiérrez as independent non-executive directors.
Laheij has more than 25 years of experience in international Commercial & Financial Management, E-Commerce, Tech, Consumer Electronics, Telco and Retail in B2C and B2B environments through her roles in Deloitte Australia, Sony Ericsson, Apple and as CFO Amazon Fashion Europe.
Gutiérrez has more than 30 years of experience in the retail and fashion industry initially as a strategy consultant at McKinsey before moving into leadership roles at international fashion businesses.
At Inditex, he was director of distribution and operations, responsible for the global product distribution model of the group. He later served for six years as CEO and executive director of Esprit.
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Laheij will join the board on 11 April, and serve as C=chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Remuneration committee.
Gutiérrez will also join the board on 11 April and will serve on the Audit Committee.
Meanwhile, Asos said Patrick Kennedy has stepped down from the board to focus on other business activities.
Mai Fyfield, who joined the Board in November 2019, will succeed Kennedy as Senior Independent Director.
Asos chair, Jørgen Lindemann said: “Natasja brings a wealth of highly relevant commercial and financial experience gained across several leading tech and growth businesses, including as CFO of Amazon Fashion Europe.
“Jose Manuel joins with extensive fashion and supply chain expertise. The Board will greatly benefit from Natasja and Jose’s insight and oversight, and we look forward to working closely with them.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Patrick for the important contribution he has made to ASOS, in particular his contribution to ASOS’ move to the Main Market and his support during a period of management and Board transition. We wish him well for the future.”
